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stemsandforks

STEMS AND FORKS
Beautiful musings of flora and fare.
Photographer, recipe developer, botanical sculptor. #thiskoreanbakes Toronto, Canada

In between shadows. . Chocolate cake I made for a

In between shadows.
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Chocolate cake I made for a workshop back in late February, crowned with tempered chocolate spears made by the talented chef @davidlumto
#shadows #silhouette #abyss #chocolatecake

Music in Pictures: a Visualization of Florence Pri

Music in Pictures: a Visualization of Florence Price’s Three Roses, Challenge.

Thrilled to be part of a group of international creatives @FoodIsOurPower A group united in celebrating, educating and amplifying melanated voices through art and food. Honoured to start the campaign with a creative challenge open to all. The challenge is to create a visual rendering of music/sound based on Florence Price’s Three Roses for Piano. (See below to find where.)

Born in 1887 in Little Rock, Arkansas, Florence Price was one of the first African American women to be acknowledged as a symphonic composer and to have one of her compositions played by a major orchestra. An incredible feat in the 1930s considering in her words “...I have two handicaps - those of sex and race.” For decades her music was overshadowed by a musical genre predominantly overpowered by white men. Her music lived in the shadows until 2009 when a treasure trove of her compositions was discovered in an abandoned house in St. Anne, Illinois.

It’s with great pleasure to share Florence Price’s music. A vernacular composer whose music incorporated elements of blues, jazz, European romantic with elements of spiritual African-American music. Despite the racism and misogyny, her beautiful music survived to tell a story - her story.
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The Challenge:
1) Listen to Florence Price’s Three Roses. Please see my stories for a swipe up link.
2) Create a visual interpretation of her music.
3) Your visual rendering could be food, flowers, portrait…anything goes.
4) Be sure to use the hashtag #foodisourpower and tag @foodisourpower
5) Post anytime between now and Thursday July 16th. I’ll be sharing my top 5 entries on Sunday July 18th.
Tips:
-Music is an expression of emotions through harmony, sound and rhythm. What emotion did the 3 roses evoke for you?
-Describe the music? Romantic? Jazzy? Melancholy? Chaotic?
-Do you think Price was conveying a symbolic meaning by using three rose colours?
-Consider the time she wrote this piece (1949) what might she have been going through?
-See @foodisourpower for some tips to involve your children from @mixmixmama @happy_gut_co
Most importantly have fun

Za’atar kimbap made with Ontario Greenhouse Vege

Za’atar kimbap made with Ontario Greenhouse Vegetables, cucumbers and bell peppers. Created this simple kimbap with a little Mediterranean twist in collaboration with @ProduceMadeSimple. It’s a great alternative to sandwiches and a perfect picnic option. Proud to promote these local ingredients. Ontario greenhouse cucumbers are available all year round, peppers February to December. See recipe below and stories for a tutorial on how to assemble.
#eatmoreproduce #loveONTfood #greenhouseveg #ontariogreenhousevegetables #producemadesimple

Za’atar Kimbap:
Serves 2 as a filling meal or 4 as a snack.
4 sheets Nori
3 cups cooked short grain sushi rice
2 large eggs
1 1/2 teaspoon vegetable oil for frying egg
1 large carrot julienned
2 mini Ontario greenhouse cucumbers
1 yellow or orange Ontario Greenhouse bell pepper
3 teaspoons Za’atar
3 teaspoons sesame seeds
2 teaspoons sesame seed oil
1 teaspoon salt

Toss rice, sesame seed oil and salt evenly. Cover and set aside.
Take paper towel and evenly wipe vegetable oil on hot skillet.
Beat eggs and spread on hot skillet similar to frying a thin crepe. Fry for a few seconds until egg sets.
Remove from heat and fold the egg over into quarters. Transfer egg to plate. Set aside to cool.
In same pan, lightly fry the carrots about 3 minutes. Transfer to plate and set aside to cool.
In the meanwhile, julienne the cucumbers, bell pepper and the fried egg.
For the assembly of the kimbap please see stories which I’ll also save to highlights. 🍱

A glossary of props explaining the symbolism behin

A glossary of props explaining the symbolism behind my post in March about my father’s hands. Some are mystical concepts and sentiments. Others biblical stories or ancient legends. But all with the same message of hope.
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Much has changed since posting my father’s hands 4 months ago. Admittedly these current events have brought me clarity and appreciation.
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BAOZI BUNS: (aka Jjinppang) Legend has it, these buns were invented by a 3rd century Chinese military strategist Zhuge Liange. Liange and his army were engaged in a military campaign when his soldiers were beset with the plague. Liange created the dumpling as an offering to the gods and shaped the buns like human heads.
CANDLE: Light in darkness
EGGS: New life
GARLIC: Good health.
OLIVE BRANCH: Peace. The dove in search of land returns with an olive branch to Noah.
SALT: Purity, the essence of life.
TWEEDIA FLOWERS: Hope. Due to their star blossoms
FATHER’S HANDS: Strength and resilience.

Made this Cherry and Strawberry Galette using ingr

Made this Cherry and Strawberry Galette using ingredients from @MetroOntario Strawberries are at its peak right now making them the perfect fruit to pair up with cherries for a sweet summer galette to celebrate Canada’s birthday. Visit my stories to see how I serve this galette with some Irresistibles ice cream and maple syrup. Scroll down for the recipe (in comments) and find all the ingredients at your local @MetroOntario. Happy Canada Day. Bonne Fête Canada! #mymetro #metroloveslocal

Fresh vegetables of course are key to a delicious

Fresh vegetables of course are key to a delicious salad. But @carapelliusa Il Centenario Extra Virgin Olive Oil truly takes any dish to the next level. It has become a staple on our dinner table. Blended from early harvests of century-old olive trees, the flavour has a fruity yet leafy taste with a subtle pleasant bitterness on the palate. The innovative anti-drip spout and beautiful bottle makes Il Centenario Extra Virgin Olive Oil convenient to add to any fresh dish. See stories for a celery root and heirloom salad and a link for more information and to purchase. #MyCarapelliCraft #CarapelliFirenze #CenturiesOfMastery #Evoo #ExtraVirginOliveOil

Deep fried tempura/Panko crusted asparagus with a

Deep fried tempura/Panko crusted asparagus with a parsley lemon yogurt dip. Recipe below. Measurements are a bit of this and that. .
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Not a typical Stems & Forks shot. But feeling kinda rebellious today. .
DIP
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
Fistful of chopped fresh parsley
Juice of half a lemon
1 clove garlic very finely diced garlic
salt and pepper
Pinch of fennel seeds
Mix all the ingredients above. .
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Tempura batter:
1 cup AP flour sifted
1 cup ice water
Dash of salt
1 egg lightly beaten
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Crust:
2 cups Panko bread crumbs
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1 bunch washed and dried asparagus. .
Lightly mix cold water, egg and flour with fork. About 20 seconds. Batter should be clumpy. Don’t over mix.
Dip asparagus in batter. Then coat batter with Panko bread crumbs. Fry in hot oil (deep fryer) for about 3 minutes. Don’t over crowd the fryer. .
Serve with yogurt dip and sprinkle some toasted cashews. .

Dried. Flowers. . . . . (Post edit) inspired by Ic

Dried. Flowers. .
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(Post edit) inspired by Ich steh mit einem Fuß im grabe...
#bmv156
RIPdrjohnsalvendy

JAZZ™ apples. #ad Zingy, effervescent, flavourfu

JAZZ™ apples. #ad Zingy, effervescent, flavourful and crunchy is how I’d describe these apples. Perfect for baking, salads, snacking on its own or building a pyramid with spun sugar if you’re over the top like me ;) You can now find @jazzappleus at major grocery retailers or @metroontario #jazzappleus #jazzsensation #apples

Congratulations @justcrumbs on “Baked”. In Suz

Congratulations @justcrumbs on “Baked”. In Suzie’s words “Baked is the essential cookbook for the novice and experienced baker alike.” Your hard work and passion shines through. I’ll put a link in stories to @justcrumbs site to purchase. Happy to have played a small part in your journey. #baked #justcrumbs #baking #foodphotography #foodstyling

Spent the afternoon sketching the late George Floy

Spent the afternoon sketching the late George Floyd....I will never forget.
Black lives matter. .
J’ai passé la journée à dessiner le regretté George Floyd. Je n'oublierai jamais.

“Silence is complacency." someone wrote me a few

“Silence is complacency." someone wrote me a few days ago.
For the last several days, I’ve taken time to contemplate and reflect. Contrary to my silence on social media, my head has been fraught with chaos and anxiety. I’m aware that whatever I write will be either too much, too little or not good enough. But these are MY words.
I believe that the vast majority of us are fundamentally virtuous but at times may follow misinformed trajectories and slip into moral descent. As a society it is our collective responsibility to educate ourselves, seek truth, justice and reform through whatever resources available. I believe we are capable of seeking higher moral development. But I believe that change starts with the individual. And so I start with me.
#justiceforgeorgefloyd

Piping buttercream is not my forté. Basket weave

Piping buttercream is not my forté.
Basket weave chocolate cake for little Georgy’s birthday a couple days ago. I wish he could stay little forever. #foreveryoung

We’re behind about a month or so with the flower

We’re behind about a month or so with the flower season here in Ontario. Was fortunate to catch the tail end of these tulips.

Gazpacho, marinated veggies, epinadas, grilled veg

Gazpacho, marinated veggies, epinadas, grilled veggies and vegetarian paella. Some of the foods we’ve been feasting on this week with @MarquesdeRiscal wines. I’ve become a massive fan of their wines. I’m normally into red wines but find myself grooving to their white Reuda DO Blend which is equally elegant with peach and citrus hints and a clean crisp finish.They’re truly premium wines grown on one of the oldest vineyards in Rioja. And impressively was the first non-French wine to win the diploma of honour of the Bordeaux Exhibition in 1895. That said they’re pricing is very approachable. Marques de Riscal Rioja is $26.70/bottle & Marques de Riscal Rueda is $14.65/bottle @LCBO. On May 28th @ViewtheVIBE and @MarquesdeRiscal will be hosting another Multisensory Spanish VIBE experience and it’s free to register using the link in my stories! Remember to always enjoy wine responsibly. #MarquesdeRiscal #MarquesVIBE

A botanical rendering to pay homage to the Well-Te

A botanical rendering to pay homage to the Well-Tempered Clavier. .
A Herculean side project of mine to persuade you that
#BaroqueMusicIsCool

The past couple of months have been challenging fo

Made @julie_jonesuk Potato, leek and cheddar chees

Made @julie_jonesuk Potato, leek and cheddar cheese cube(s) from “The Pastry School”. This book is pure pastry #art but never falls short on sharing technique or forgetting flavour. Brava @julie_jonesuk School’s never been so beautiful and delicious. #juliejones #thepastryschool

We often think sight and sound are the most import

We often think sight and sound are the most important of our human senses. To be able see our children’s faces or hear a moving symphony. Indeed very precious. But it’s smell that often triggers nostalgia and memories for us. Fresh baked cookies, a newly mowed lawn or the first drops of rain when it kisses the sidewalk. It’s scent that not only ignites memories but a flurry of emotions for many of us.
It has been a pleasure working with @tatineofficial shooting her candles for the past couple years. The biggest pleasure has been burning her candles throughout my house. In particular Spirit House. This candle has transported me beyond my four walls for the past 2 months. Her candles evoke emotions, comfort and a sense of calm and peace. Merci Margo.
#notsponsored #quarantinelife

Cinnamon buns with candied chanterelle mushrooms.

Made from the grapes grown in rich clay-limestone

Made from the grapes grown in rich clay-limestone soils of Rioja and aged in oak barrels, @marquesderiscal Rioja Reserva can be described as graceful with spicy, dark fruit-flavours and whispers of a woody finish. It’s an impressive wine with beautiful structure and elegant tannins. Definitely has become one of my favourite red wines.
It’s been a delight pairing the @marquesderiscal wines with my dinners during this collaboration with @viewthevibe They’ve been adding an elevated sense of occasion during our dinners at home lately. Available now @lcbo Marques de Riscal Rioja Reserva for $26.70 and if you’re into white there’s Marques de Riscal Reuda DO $14.65. Drink wine responsibly. Check out @viewthevibe to enter to WIN a Multisensory Spanish VIBE Experience from the comfort of your own home too! #MarquesdeRiscal #MarquesVIBE
#torontolifestyle #torontoliving #torontovibes

When @ladeedagourmetsauces team asked if I could v

When @ladeedagourmetsauces team asked if I could virtually cook and shoot the talented recipe developer and food stylist @irene_matys family moussaka recipe using their Twelve Veggie Tomato Sauce, it was a resounding yes. It was my first time doing a cook along online as well making moussaka. Moussaka is a baked traditional Greek dish, typically consisting of eggplant, potatoes and lamb. Irene’s family version is vegetarian using lentils, eggplant, potatoes, zucchini and topped with a halloumi béchamel sauce with a crunchy bread crumb crust. Instead of the meat sauce, @ladeedagourmetsauces Twelve Veggie Tomato Sauce which is vegan, gluten and preservative free was used. Needless to say it was very scrumptious. Let’s support this local Ontario product that in turn supports the charity @Food4KidsOntario Go to my stories for a link to the recipe and the sauces and check out @irene_matys version as well. #collaboration #ladeedasauces #NotJustForPasta #SupportLocal #SmallBiz2Biz #EatHealthy #HealthyLiving #SupportingWomenInBusiness #LookForLocal #LaDeeDaCares

Thankful for these two ...and for the pups too. #p

Thankful for these two ...and for the pups too. #parenthood

Dear Mothers, Imagine opening your front door and

Dear Mothers, Imagine opening your front door and receiving this as your mothers day gift on Sunday morning. These fresh strawberry glazed donuts are yeast free and ready within 25 minutes. And the tower assembly, within 10 minutes. Slide over to see a wrist corsage made from the same batch of mini roses. All florals and donut ingredients can be found at your local @metroontario . See stories for a complete tutorial and a for a location close to you. Recipe in comments below. #mymetro #donuts.

It’s asparagus season here in Ontario. As usual

Isolation has not bothered me. I have enjoyed this

Isolation has not bothered me. I have enjoyed this free time to slow down and take notice of my grey hairs and facial furrows lit by the spring sun but shadowed by the promise of the inevitable. To allow my mind to clamber to both light and dark corners and drunkenly relish what is beyond my control. For me there has been an unexpected beauty in all that has been unfolding. To make haste slowly. #festinalente .
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Outtake from a photo shoot I did back in March with @soocookie #lightandshadow #decay #limes #isolation #contentment #vanitas

Sonia @saltnpepperhere Mochi waffles brushed with

It has been 43 years since I immigrated to Canada

It has been 43 years since I immigrated to Canada with my Japanese/Korean parents. Toronto in the 70’s was still somewhat provincial. Sushi and kimchi were virtually unknown. It was an era when the most exotic items at the local grocer was salsa and jalapeños. It was during these early years I remember my parents receiving their monthly box of goodies from relatives back home. Seaweed, noodles, salted anchovies and to my utter delight Japanese candy and snacks. .
My monthly box of Japanese goodies pictured above from @kokorocares deluged me with childhood memories.
Matcha soba noodles, Kinako powder with Uji matcha, matcha chocolate, hoten, Uji matcha peas, and marble candy.
Arigato @kokorocares 🙇🏻‍♀️.
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Shot on @bureau_48 board

Lately I’ve been trying to create a sense of occ

I think little Georgy has had enough home economic

I think little Georgy has had enough home economics.
A few weeks ago, I truthfully explained to my little prince why he hadn’t left the house since mid March save for a few dog walks. At 5 years old, it was challenging for him to grasp that a virus smaller than a speck of flour was to be feared. It was decided he needed to make the enemy larger, tangible with zoomorphic features. A large red muscular beast with a tail and a spear.
Pleased to know his imagination hasn’t been dampened. .
Finally made #thecookie by @alisoneroman chocolate chunk shortbread

Home made Korean Knife Noodles (kalguk-su)with a m

Home made Korean Knife Noodles (kalguk-su)with a miso tahini broth topped with shiitake, white and king mushrooms and potatoes. Picture 2 @moineaubinon in a lovely red dress from @sondeflor
Recipe in stories. I’ll eventually publish in blog. .
A simple nourishing bowl of hot noodles is all I really want this weekend. Happy Good Friday.

This Easter will be a bit different for all of us

This Easter will be a bit different for all of us here in Ontario and abroad. It’ll be smaller in size but extra large with gratitude. Below I’ve shared one of my favourite classic carrot cake recipes using @MetroOntario Selections Classic Cream Cheese for the frosting. Super simple to make, this recipe is delicious and solid. I pretty much make this every Easter.
Flanking this carrot cake are a few local fresh cut tulips. With the borders closed, @MetroOntario has been continuing to support and provide local flowers like these beautiful variegated magenta tulips. We can all use a little cheer and cake right now. Wishing everyone a Happy and very HEALTHY Easter or Passover. .
Check out my stories for some tips on how to get your tulips to stop bending.
Carrot Cake recipe below in comments and in stories.
#mymetro

Just some hand cut tagliatelle/parpadelle. I poste

Just some hand cut tagliatelle/parpadelle. I posted the process video in stories a few days ago and it’s now in my highlights including the recipe.
The pesto here was inspired by the brilliant @rhubandcod “leftover pesto recipe”. basically its pesto made with whatever odds and sods greens you got lurking in your fridge and nuts in your pantry. In my case, dill, parsley, a bit of wilted basil with walnuts, almonds with some Grana Padano. .

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